Method and system for reliable protocol tunneling over http

One or more computer storage media storing computer-executable instructions that when executed by a processor perform a method for extending functionality of a client by tunneling protocol data over the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) through a relay server, the method comprising:

• receiving a communication at the relay server, from the client, to create a relay session with a remote endpoint;
• authenticating the client, wherein authenticating the client comprises sending challenge response data to the client;
• configuring the relay session;
• generating a session identifier for the relay session;
• assigning the session identifier to the client;
• transferring HTTP requests to exchange data with the remote endpoint, wherein the HTTP requests comprise the session identifier and a sequence number, and wherein the sequence number is received by the relay server as an HTTP header;
• transferring HTTP requests and responses to the client, wherein the HTTP requests to the client comprise the session identifier;
• consuming, by the relay server, the sequence number;
• generating an acknowledgment number;
• and
• passing the acknowledgment number with an HTTP response to the client.

A system configured to tunnel protocol data over the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) through a relay server between a client and a remote endpoint, the system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising computer program instructions executable by the processor to provide:
• a session management component within the relay server, wherein the session management component generates a session identifier (session ID) to group HTTP requests and returns the session ID to the client;
• a relay engine component within the relay server, wherein the relay engine component assigns one or more sequence numbers and one or more acknowledgment numbers to HTTP requests and responses;
• a platform services component within the relay server, wherein the platform services component enables authentication of the client to extend functionality of the client;
• and
• a plug-in transport module within the relay server, wherein the plug-in transport module supports the protocol data tunneling.